The Mismatch

 The Knicks pulled off the impossible in Game 4 and are now one win away from their first championship in 53 years. Verno and Jacoby discuss just how the Knicks were able to beat the Spurs after being down 29 points. Jacoby recaps his night watching the game and his belief that the Knicks were always going to win, as well as the impact plays from both the Knicks and Spurs. They also briefly discuss their issues with Knicks celebrity row, why the Spurs aren’t playing Dylan Harper more, OG Anunoby’s block and game-winning tip-in, and their predictions for Game 5 on Saturday. (00:00) Welcome to The Mismatch! (2:32) Knicks complete the biggest comeback in NBA Finals history and take a 3-1 series lead (11:21) Jose Alvarado’s impact on the Knicks' comeback (24:38) What will be remembered more: De’Aaron Fox not running out the clock or Victor Wembanyama’s missed free throws? (34:50) Jacoby still uneasy about the Knicks (38:16) Why not more Dylan Harper? (41:04) Knicks celebrity row issues (49:08) OG Anunoby with the game of his life (54:05) Josh Hart’s miss and Karl-Anthony Towns’s fingertip block (57:50) Happy for Mike Breen (1:09:43) Aftermath of Jacoby’s dislike for Wemby (1:15:00) Game 5 predictions The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit https://fanduel.com/playwithaplan to learn more about the resources and helplines. Visit WeatherTech.com for your Father’s Day gift today. Leave us a message on our Mismatch Voicemail line! (323) 389-5091 Hosts: Chris Vernon and David Jacoby Producers: Jessie Lopez, Stefan Anderson, and Jeff Shearin Social: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Verno and Jacoby react to the Spurs holding off the Knicks in Game 3 of the NBA Finals as Victor Wembanyama bounces back after missing a game-winning shot at the end of Game 2 to help give the Spurs their first win of the series. The guys discuss what went wrong for the Knicks, how the referees influenced the game, Wemby’s push on Jalen Brunson, as well as the big and small picture for the Knicks for the rest of the series. Also, they debate whether the Knicks were relying on Brunson too much, Jacoby’s dislike for Wemby, and whether Game 4 will determine the eventual winner of the series. (00:00) Welcome to The Mismatch! (3:00) Spurs stun Knicks at MSG (10:48) The referees' influence on Game 3 (15:13) Wemby pushing Jalen Brunson (21:49) Will the series be decided by the outcome of Game 4? (30:34) The Knicks got Brunson-centric (32:29) Is Wemby fatigued? (35:40) Big picture/small picture for the Knicks (45:08) Jacoby is not a fan of Wemby (51:55) Guessing the line for Game 4 (59:26) Predictions for Game 4 The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit https://fanduel.com/playwithaplan to learn more about the resources and helplines. Visit WeatherTech.com for your Father’s Day gift today. Leave us a message on our Mismatch Voicemail line! (323) 389-5091 Hosts: Chris Vernon and David Jacoby Producers: Jessie Lopez, Stefan Anderson, and Jeff Shearin Social: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Verno and Jacoby break down a wild Game 1 from every angle—including Jacoby's upper-deck view from inside the Frost Bank Center. Jalen Brunson went into the tunnel and came out a closer, dropping 13 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter when it mattered most. KAT bullied Wemby all night long, and Wemby shot just 6-of-21 in his NBA Finals debut. The Knicks stole one in San Antonio—but is this series really over? Not even close. (00:00) Welcome to The Mismatch! (2:04) Jacoby drops $888 to take in the moment of a Knicks Game 1 win (8:32) Inside the arena: San Antonio's kindness vs. New York's chaos energy (15:45) "We've got a guy" — Brunson's fourth-quarter run (28:29) KAT was built for this moment — 18 points, 12 rebounds, and Wemby had no answer (38:56) Hart and Alvarado — the unsung heroes of Game 1 (43:00) Looking ahead: Can Wemby and the Spurs adjust to the Knicks? (52:56) Game 2 predictions and series outlook The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming.  Please visit https://fanduel.com/playwithaplan to learn more about the resources and helplines. Protect your summer today at WeatherTech.com Leave us a message on our Mismatch Voicemail line! (323) 389-5091 Hosts: Chris Vernon and David Jacoby Producers: Stefan Anderson and Jeff Shearin Directors of Photography: Ulrich Von Dran IV Social: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Verno and Jacoby are back to break down how a remarkably poised Spurs squad knocked off Oklahoma City in seven—then turn their full attention to the Finals. They dig into the tactical chess match of stopping Victor Wembanyama, why Josh Hart is the Knicks' X-factor, and whether Mitchell Robinson can be effective with a busted finger. Plus, the regular-season history between these two teams, MVP odds, and why New York City is already losing its mind before tip-off. (00:00) Welcome to The Mismatch! (2:14) Dissecting the WCF–What impressed you most about the Spurs-Thunder series? (4:24) Is the discourse toward Chet warranted? (17:24) Western Conference team building: How will teams deal with the Spurs and Wemby? (20:46) Confidence is contagious for the Spurs: Rookie Dylan Harper plays like a veteran (27:35) Knicks are underdogs even though they breezed through the ECF (30:33) What we learned from the Spurs-Knicks regular-season matchups (34:10) Keys to win for the Knicks: Josh Hart (45:12) Wemby and Brunson are the betting favorites for Finals MVP (47:48) What really happened to Mitchell Robinson and his broken pinkie? (53:53) Changing of the guard in the NBA: Spurs' youth over Knicks veterans (1:00:23) The Knicks are giving Gotham something to cheer about The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming.  Please visit https://fanduel.com/playwithaplan.com to learn more about the resources and helplines. Protect your summer today at WeatherTech.com Leave us a message on our Mismatch Voicemail line! (323) 389-5091 Hosts: Chris Vernon and David Jacoby Producers: Stefan Anderson and Jeff Shearin Social: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

 Verno and Jacoby return to react to the Spurs' Game 6 win over the Thunder and give their keys to Game 7. Then, they discuss the news of Mitchell Robinson breaking his pinkie finger and the new draft lottery rules. Welcome to The Mismatch! (00:00) Thunder-Spurs: WCF headed to Game 7, Spurs defeat Thunder 118-91 (5:32) Rim protection: Spurs held Thunder to 91 points (lowest playoff output) (11:58) Flip-flopped series: Spurs turn the tables on Thunder (18:08) Spurs-Thunder: Both teams have shown non-competitive moments (23:00) Distractions behind the benches: Nuns and boobs (29:13) Small-market fans are not ready for a "New York State of Mind" (34:37) Knicks' championship path:  Need Spurs to take down Thunder (43:42) Spurs-Thunder Game 7 preview: Low-scoring war determines the winner (48:57) Instant reaction: President Trump heading to the Finals (50:54) NBA approves radical 3-2-1 anti-tanking reform for draft lottery The Ringer is Committed to responsible gaming.  Please visit https://www.fanduel.com/playwithaplan to learn more about the resources and helplines. Protect your summer today at WeatherTech.com Leave us a message on our Mismatch Voicemail line! (323) 389-5091 Hosts: Chris Vernon and David Jacoby Producers: Stefan Anderson and Jeff Shearin Social: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices